Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Did you ever wonder why they’re called wisdom teeth? They are coined that because these specific teeth generally come in later than the rest, usually between 17 and 21 years of age, and are our third and final set of molars. Statistics show that teens in the last five years have been developing their wisdom teeth at earlier ages, usually between 14-17 years of age. Did you know nearly 85 percent of adults have had their wisdom teeth removed to protect their oral health?

It’s actually a very common procedure. Most everyone remembers getting his or her wisdom teeth removed, and usually have a story to go along with the memory. Have you scheduled your teenager’s wisdom teeth extraction yet? Let Ellettsville Dental Center help.

Nowadays, with modern advancements in oral hygiene and softer diets, we don’t need these replacement teeth, but they still arrive.

If a person experiences pain that gradually becomes more severe behind the molars, it could be because of wisdom teeth. Other wisdom teeth symptoms include redness, tenderness and/or swelling around the site. As wisdom teeth begin to erupt through the surface of the gums, this allows bacteria to enter through open tissue, which can result in infection. The most common treatment for wisdom teeth symptoms is extraction of the teeth.

The removal of wisdom teeth is generally done at a dentist or oral surgeon’s office under local or IV Sedation as an outpatient procedure. If your wisdom teeth have already erupted through the surface of the gums, they can be removed relatively easily, as if they were any other tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth can be a little more complicated to remove, yet is still considered common practice.

Younger people tend to have wisdom teeth roots that have not fully developed and the bone is less dense, making removal easier. Older adults may have a longer healing time and a more difficult recovery. Taking care of wisdom teeth extraction in the teen years is just easier. Not sure if your teen’s wisdom teeth need to come out yet or not? The Ellettsville Dental Center team is happy to help you at your next appointment and make suggestions.